armature/voltmeter question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
armature/voltmeter question
Hi,
I am currently rebuilding a 71' coupe and decided I wanted to replace all the gages. What a pain in the --- that has turned out to be.
The gages in the console were easy, the tach and speedometer were the pain.
The only gage in the console that has been difficult is the armature. Couldn't get it work at all, so I called Auto-meter, and was told to get it out as I now have a 100 amp Alternator, and was creating a potential fire hazard.
So, to fill the hole in the console, I ordered a voltmeter, easily installed, but here is my question;
Do I just tape off the armature wires or tape them together, as to complete the circuit to the alternator? Not sure how that works.
Any help will be Greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jw
I am currently rebuilding a 71' coupe and decided I wanted to replace all the gages. What a pain in the --- that has turned out to be.
The gages in the console were easy, the tach and speedometer were the pain.
The only gage in the console that has been difficult is the armature. Couldn't get it work at all, so I called Auto-meter, and was told to get it out as I now have a 100 amp Alternator, and was creating a potential fire hazard.
So, to fill the hole in the console, I ordered a voltmeter, easily installed, but here is my question;
Do I just tape off the armature wires or tape them together, as to complete the circuit to the alternator? Not sure how that works.
Any help will be Greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I think you can just tape them up. The AMPMETER actually measures voltage across a known resistance i.e. part of the wiring harnes. So the amp meter does not actually carry the load.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
I think you can just tape them up. The AMPMETER actually measures voltage across a known resistance i.e. part of the wiring harnes. So the amp meter does not actually carry the load.
Yes you tape the wires together.
A volt meter just takes any live wire and runs it to ground through the gage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Norval, Normally I would agree with you, an amp meter DOES go in series with the circuit is measurung. But, in the case of these cars, I think at least, I don't have a schematic here for one. The amp meter is wired to 2 ends of the wire that feeds most everything else, only a very small current actually goes thru the gauge. Connecting the 2 wires together will not hurt anything, but wouldn't be necessasy. Oc course I could be fulla sheite, it happens.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
Hey,
Taping together was what the guy at Autometer " guessed" I should do.
Sounds like you are both right as he said very little flows thru, but enough with a 100 amp alternator to create a fire hazard.
Thanks for your input from both you guys.
Know anything about "Koolmat"? Does it cut easy?
Jw
Taping together was what the guy at Autometer " guessed" I should do.
Sounds like you are both right as he said very little flows thru, but enough with a 100 amp alternator to create a fire hazard.
Thanks for your input from both you guys.
Know anything about "Koolmat"? Does it cut easy?
Jw
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Norval, Normally I would agree with you, an amp meter DOES go in series with the circuit is measurung. But, in the case of these cars, I think at least, I don't have a schematic here for one. The amp meter is wired to 2 ends of the wire that feeds most everything else, only a very small current actually goes thru the gauge. Connecting the 2 wires together will not hurt anything, but wouldn't be necessasy. Oc course I could be fulla sheite, it happens.
I run a short heavy heavy jumper from the back of the alternator to the heavy wire on the starter. This is how new cars are hooked up. A heavy wire directly to the battery.
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